presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s message
Dear Team,
As we ring in the New Year there are so many positive things
for us to reflect on and on which we can build a great 2013.
Underwriter has been mastered and our premium budget
almost certainly surpassed. We will make an underwriting
profit this year in Jamaica for the first time in 9 years and
despite some challenges in our other territories there are
very positive signs that assure us that our commitment to
expansion is the correct strategy.
2013 will see us open our doors in another new market
having just received our approval to open a branch in
Trinidad and Tobago. This is a significant step towards our
goal of being the Caribbeanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s number one motor writer
because despite having half as many people Trinidad has
more cars than Jamaica.
Our agents and brokers around the region have done us
proud in 2012 and beyond saying thanks we owe them our
promise of continued support and quality service.
All that said it is important for each and everyone of us to
reflect on all that we have achieved this year and to go home
this evening feeling proud of a job well done.
On behalf of Senior Management let me say thank you for
all your hard work. It is truly a pleasure to work with team
mates who are enthusiastic, professional and willing to go
that extra mile.
We also wish you and your families all the very best for 2013.

n Insurance Broker by definition is an
independent agent who represents the
buyer, rather than the insurance company,
and tries to find the buyer the best policy
to suit his/her needs. Insurance companies
underwrite the risk whether it is a car, home, boat,
or business. At ICWI, we strive to create a positive
working relationship with our brokers. In fact, as part of
the 2012 Strategic Planning commitments, new ‘value
propositions’ or ‘promises’ were developed to guide
the company and its staff in its everyday activities. At
ICWI, as it relates to our Intermediaries, we live by this
value proposition:

ICWI committed to recognising its Brokers in 2012 by including
the Broker Awards ceremony in their Annual Christmas Party,
where all staff, intermediaries and business partners gather to
celebrate a year of hard work. On December 14, 2012, ICWI
announced the much anticipated winners of seven awards,
including the coveted Broker of the Year Award. Following is the
list of awardees:

We promise to partner with our Intermediaries
in providing quality service to our mutual clients
by being accessible, efficient and professional.

The company recognises that our Brokers are our
partners, who contribute a significant amount to
the bottom line. In 2011, ICWI revamped its Broker
recognition programme to recognise the ‘Broker of
the Year,’ as well as a myriad of other Broker Awards
with monetary prizes. This recognition programme
has become a staple each year in demonstrating our
commitment and gratitude.

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The objective of the Broker of the Year Award is to
reward the Brokerage/Agency that has achieved a
minimum of $20 million in gross written premium for
the year, and also performs best in the categories of
documentation, receivables, growth and loss ratio,
which will be weighted. Scores will be assigned to each
category and the Broker/Agency with the highest
combined weighted score will win the award. The
winner receives a minimum cash award of $500,000
up to a maximum of 10 per cent of their annualised
commission.

he Insurance Company of the West Indies Limited and Grennell’s Driving School
have partnered to promote road safety among drivers, by offering discounts to
customers who have successfully completed the defensive driving programme
offered by the school.

The agreement was signed by ICWI President Paul Lalor and Managing Director
of Grennell’s Driving School, Alphonso Grennell, at a press conference held at ICWI’s head office.
Drivers who are holders of a valid National Safety Council (NSC) Defensive Driving Course Certificate
have been receiving a 10 per cent discount on their motor vehicle insurance courtesy of ICWI. The
agreement took effect on December 1, 2012. In keeping with the promotion of road safety, clients
with a new licence will be encouraged by ICWI to participate in this Defensive Driving Course to
create safer and more responsible drivers on the roads.
ICWI is currently the only company that offers discounts to drivers who have a Defensive Driving
Course Certificate. It is ICWI’s hope that this will aid in raising awareness in the area of road safety
by encouraging drivers to be more diligent.

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ICWI Supports
Junior Achievement
Jamaica

t

he
Insurance
Company of the
West Indies (ICWI)
Limited
donated
$500,000 to the non-profit Junior
Achievement Jamaica (JAJ) to aid
the organisation in achieving its
goal of assisting 23,000 students
in 2013. JAJ focuses on youth
development through experiential
hands-on academic programmes,
taught to students ages 5-24. The
organisation’s impact is boosted by
its long-term partnership with the
Ministry of Education and the United
States Agency for International
Development (USAID).
The cheque was presented by
President Paul Lalor, during the launch
of the JAJ exhibitions in December. The
local non-profit is aiming to increase
its student reach from about 15,000

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as it expands its programmes to more
schools and community-based groups
across the island. These programmes
are delivered by trained teachers and
private-sector volunteers and they
focus on building the skills of students
in entrepreneurship, financial literacy
and work readiness.
“We are committed to helping Junior
Achievement accomplish their target
as we believe that their programmes
will contribute to the sustained
economic development of Jamaica,”
said Mr. Lalor.
The presentation was made to general
manager of CIBC FirstCaribbean
Building Society, Velmore Lawrence,
who represented the board of JAJ.
President of JAJ, Mrs. Alphie MullingsAiken, was overwhelmed by the
generosity of ICWI and stressed the

importance of partnering with government
and the private sector in increasing the
quality of education and job creation.
“Jamaica is heading in the right direction.
ICWI’s donation is another signal of
the private sector’s interest in growing
the Jamaican economy by educating our
youth,” she said.
Founded in 2010, JAJ is a member of Junior
Achievement Worldwide, which currently
operates in 122 countries.

We are committed to
helping Junior Achievement
accomplish their target
as we believe that their
programmes will contribute
to the sustained economic
development of Jamaica”
P a u l

employee blog

Ocho Rios branch
relocation

f

riday November 23, 2012 saw the Ocho Rios
office relocate from its home of eight years
at the Guardian Life Building, to the newly
constructed Eight Rivers Towne Centre,
where we occupy Unit 14.

It was business as usual from our new location on Monday,
November 26. However, instead of operating on power we
were forced to rent a very large generator to run our officefor a month!
Operating on a generator was interesting and quite expensive.
Oh, how many times we forgot to refill the generator only
to be reminded when the system went C-A-P-U-T. But no
problem, mon! We simply called REACT and they had us up
and running again. Who knew REACT was so versatile?
Now that normalcy has returned, we can certainly appreciate
our new office. Initially, we were the first and only ‘kids on
the block,’ before being joined by Sagicor Investments, Little
Tokyo, Watts New, Fontana Pharmacy, Tastee and Kentucky
Fried Chicken will soon be joining us, so we’ll be in fine
company.
Our parking lot is something to talk about, as there is room
for everyone. Our space inside is a little tighter though, but
the atmosphere is much warmer.

It was business as
usual from our
new location on
Monday, November 26.
However, instead of
operating on power
we were forced to
rent a very large
generator to run our
office for a month!

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c

ool breeze, soothing music and elegantly dressed
staff members and guests ‘decked the lawns’
of ICWI on Friday, December 14, 2012. It
was the BIG bang to close off what would be
another successful year for the ICWI family – the
company’s annual Christmas party.
The talented UWI Panoridim Steel Orchestra kicked
off the night’s event and set the mood with warm
Caribbean music that kept the guests merry and
moving. This was followed by the announcement of
various awards, including Broker of the Year, which
was won by Genesis Insurance Brokers.

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Directly following the awards ceremony, the number
of guests had grown and the night got even more
exciting as MC Kiki took to the stage. Kiki did not hold
back on her entertaining and dancing skills and made
it her duty to teach the President the popular dance
move ‘Gangnam Style’ – not realising he already knew
the dance. Everyone was beaming with excitement and
drew a little closer to the stage to lend their support.
The ICWI family undoubtedly works hard, but who
thought they could play hard as well? It was time to
hear the talent from ICWI in the form of the disc
jockey competition. Gordon Wong, Danielle Anikey,
Girvan Wright and Drayon Bailey all took to the stage
and demonstrated their skills, dropping tunes from
retro to modern and from various genres. No one
in the audience could stand still. The surprise of the
night came when DJ Danz (Danielle Anikey) rocked

the crowd with her selections - she is just a girl, but she
was on fire! When it was time to decide the winner
the crowd unanimously voted for the only female in
the competition – DJ Danz, who won for herself an
Android tablet.
After the DJ competition, everyone made their way to
the food stations, where they found it difficult to resist
the delectable options provided by Mrs. Dawn Leow.
The guests certainly made space for dessert after
passing by the extravagant display catered by Cakes
by Jan. After satisfying their taste buds, everyone was
more than energised to take to the dance floor, where
DJ Omar C played upbeat selections both old and new
that had directors, intermediaries, service providers,
staff and clients dancing the night away.
Unfortunately, the night had to come to an end. There
is no doubt that it was a successful evening and persons
are already looking forward to the 2013 party.

ICWI St. Maarten signs new Brokerage agreement with Henderson Insurances N.V., one of St. Maartenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier Brokerages.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Personal updates from
our teams
A warm welcome is extended to the following employees who joined
the ICWI family during the period October to December 2012

Oniel Williams
Finance

Naudia Hodgson
Call Centre

Romane Daley
Mandeville

Kimberley Ferguson
Potmore

Brian Grossett
Portmore

Dana Edwards
Call Centre

Yanique Daley
Call Centre

Robin Pratt
Bahamas

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS
ACII Designation
Congratulation to Natika Smikle of the Ocho Rios Branch
on achieving the ACII designation in December 2012.
PROFESSIONAL EXAMINATION NEWS
Congratulations to the following members of staff who
were successful in their CII Examinations:
Natika Smikle
Trecate Yong
Marcia Hewitt
Heather Chung
Annette Prcye Hinds
Marsha Clayton

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2

4

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Transfers

The following persons were transferred/
rotated between branches and
departments:
•Keisha McKen from Portmore to Spanish
Town
•Tara Braham from Bahamas to Head
Office – Claims Department
Departures

It is with regret that we bid goodbye
to the following persons and wish
them prosperity in their future
endeavours:

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Claims Department
•Khaleel Cephas
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•Juliet Constantine (Bahamas)
• Happy Birthday to all members of staff
who celebrated birthdays during the fourth
quarter of 2012.
• Our deepest sympathies to Chopie
Brown on the passing of his Brother in
October 2012.
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